STATE MAN MADE a pleasing return to action when retaining his title in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown.
The chestnut took the contest last year before embarking on a brilliant season that saw him beaten only by Constitution Hill in five runs at Grade One level.
He was the 1-6 favourite for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend in a field of just four and after travelling well in mid-division, he accelerated when rounding the final bend and pulled clear to defeat stablemate Echoes In Rain by five lengths.
A statement from State Man. It's back-to-back Morgiana Hurdles for the Willie Mullins trainee. He's done it like a long odds-on favourite should.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 25, 2023
📺 Watch Live @RTEOne & @RTEPlayer #RTEracing #PunchestownWinterFestial pic.twitter.com/Aj75BMUYtW
“Paul was much happier getting down off him this year than he was last year so maybe there is a bit of improvement there for this season,” said Mullins.
“I thought he’d won turning for home and I was surprised when there was a bit of a shemozzle and I got a bit of a fright for a couple of seconds, but was happy enough then.
“Impaire Et Passe will go to Fairyhouse next weekend (Hatton’s Grace Hurdle) and we’ll try to keep them apart for as long as we can. They all have to get there in March so we’ll concentrate on the domestic scene for the moment.”
Earlier, Gordon Elliott’s Favori De Champdou impressed in winning the Florida Pearl Novice Chase.
The eight-year-old was an 11-2 chance under Jack Kennedy in a field of seven, though the group was quickly diminished when Jonathan Sweeney’s Churchstonewarrior fell at the second.
The loose horse was a worry throughout the race and was particularly problematic for Gavin Cromwell’s Flooring Porter, who was pestered by him when taking up the lead.
That lead was eventually assumed by Favori De Champdou, who kept on well to prevail by 14 lengths from Paul Nolan’s Sandor Clegane.
The Florida Pearl Novice Chase has gone to Favori De Champdou for Jack Kennedy and Gordon Elliott. Paul Nolan's Sandor Clegane stayed on for second; Gavin Cromwell's Flooring Porter finished third.
— RTÉ Sport (@RTEsport) November 25, 2023
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At Ascot, Shishkin stunned onlookers when refusing to start in the Nirvana Spa 1965 Chase, which went the way of Paul Nicholls’ Pic D’Orhy.
Nicky Henderson’s top-class chaser was returning to action in the Grade Two contest, which only attracted four runners.
Nico de Boinville was partnering the gelding, who was the short-priced favourite, but at the tapes he did not budge and the race went ahead without him.
Pic D’Orhy and Straw Fan Jack briefly locked horns, but Harry Coben’s mount pulled away when asked for a 16-length success at 5-2.
🗣"He's got going forward almost too early"@mickfitzg reacts to Shishkin's non participation in the Nirvana Spa 1965 Chase.#ITVRacing | @Ascot pic.twitter.com/cHQGTHREdw
— ITV Racing (@itvracing) November 25, 2023
Meanwhile at Haydock, Royale Pagaille shone brightest at his favourite track when upsetting Bravemansgame to land the Betfair Chase.
The nine-year-old was second in this race in 2021 and returned to the Grade One contest at a price of 5-1 under Charlie Deutsch, having never been out of the first two in four previous trips to the Merseyside venue.
Dan Skelton’s Protektorat was occasionally erratic in his jumping and Lucinda Russell’s Corach Rambler, the reigning Grand National hero, found the race happening at too quick a pace.
It was left to Royale Pagaille and Paul Nicholls’ Bravemansgame, the 8-11 favourite, to share the lead in the battle for top honours.
And in the closing stages it was Venetia Williams’ charge who pushed on, jumping well over the final two fences to claim his biggest success to date by six and a half lengths. Corach Rambler was another nine lengths back in third.
